Answer :
In the context of law enforcement, a detention generally requires at least a 'reasonable suspicion' to be considered legally justifiable. This concept is particularly understood in situations where law enforcement officers need to briefly detain an individual for investigation.
Explanation:
Reasonable Suspicion:
- Reasonable suspicion is a standard used in the criminal justice system.
- It is a belief based on specific and articulable facts and the rational inferences from those facts, suggesting that someone is involved in criminal activity.
- It is less than probable cause, which is required for an arrest but more than a mere hunch.
Example:
- An officer may have reasonable suspicion if they observe someone behaving suspiciously in an area known for criminal activity. For instance, if a person is seen constantly glancing over their shoulder and holding something bulky under their coat in a store, this might give the officer reasonable suspicion to detain the individual for questioning.
In the options provided, the correct answer for what is required for a detention is therefore (C) reasonable suspicion. The other options, such as probable cause, are required for more significant actions, like arrests and searches.
